Curtain-stretcher.



M. J. DE GRAVE.

. CURTAIN STRETGHER.

APPLIOATIoN FILED MAY 1o, 1912.

M. J. DE GRAVE.

CURTAIN STRETGHER.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 1o, 1912.

1,101,013. Patented June 23, 1914 2 SHBETS-SHBET 2.

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MICHAEL J. DE GRAVE, OF CHICGG, ILLINIS.

CURTAIN-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 23, 1914.

Application filed May 10. 1912. Serial No. 586.368.

T0 ZZ 1071.011?, it may Fahrern.'

Be it known that I, MICHAEL J. Dn Gnxvr., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain- Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in curtain stretchers and the like and has for its object the provision of a device of this character which is of simple construction and eiiicient in operation.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a curtain stretcher embodying my invention, Fig. 2, a detail View of one of the braces employed in the construction, Fig. 3, an enlarged section taken on either of the lines .fador wL-az of Fig. 1, Fig. 4, an enlarged section taken on either of the lines 7/-3/ or 7/ 1/ of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan View of the connection between the side bars of the frame at one side, Fig. 6 is an enlarged interior elevation of the joint between the side bars of the other side of the frame, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the attaching hooks employed in the construction.

The preferred form of construction as illustrated in the drawings comprises a suitable frame having one end and side respectively composed of wooden bars 1, 2 and 3, as indicated. The other end and side of the frame are composed of channel irons 4, 5 and 6, as indicated. Bars 2 and 3 are connected together by means of a channel iron 7 secured to bar 3 and embracing the end of bar 2, and said channel iron is provided with a slot 8 slidably engaging a headed stud 9 upon bar 2. The parts are secured together by means of a bolt and thumb nut 10 and the ends of bars Q. and 3 are stepped, as shown at 11 in Fig. 5 to increase the rigidity of the joint. Channel bar 5 fits over the end of bar 6 which is provided With a headed Stud 12 taking into slot 13 in the end of bar 5. Bolt 14 serves to complete the joint and hold the parts in rigid relation. Bar 2 is secured to bar 1 by means of a channel iron 15 permanently secured to the end of bar 2 and embracing thc adjacent end of bar 1, a bolt and lock nut 1G serving to complete the joint. The end of bar 3 fits within channel iron 4 and is sccured therein by means of a bolt and lock nut 17. The lower end of har 1 passes through the corresponding end of channel iron 6 and is secured thereto by means of a bolt and lock nut 1S. Channel iron 5 tits within channel iron 4 and is secured therein by means of bolt and lock nut 19.

Each of the members 1 and 4 are extended beyond the lower side of the frame to constitute lugs 20 for supporting the frame in an upright or leaning position. A vertical brace 21 is provided with an eye Q2 engaging the inner end of bolt 10 and provided with a slot Q3 at its lower end engaging bolt 14. Diagonal braces Q4 and 25 which are similar to brace 21 are pivoted to bolt 10 and have a hook engagement with studs 18 and 19. This construction furnishes a rigid frame and one which can be readily taken apart or put together when desired.

Each of the bars 1, 2 and 3 is provided with a longitudinal T-slot E2G adapted to receive the base portions 27 of wire hook members QS, said hook members being thus adjustably secured in position. Ordinary spring curtain rollers Q9 are removably mounted in each of the channel irons 4. 5, and 6. One end of each of the rollers 29 is mounted in a channel iron 30 riveted in the corresponding frame channel iron hy means of ivets 31 and perforated to furnish a bearing for the journal 2Q of the corresponding end of the corresponding spring roller. t the other end of each ot' the rollers 2? is arranged a channel iron which is removably secured in position by means of a screw oolt 34, and is provided with a rectangular perforation adapted to receive the usual rectangular stud 34 on the corresponding end of the spring roller. By this arrangement it will be observed that the spring rollers iray be readily removed and remounled from and in the corresponding channel iron. Three tapes are wound upon each of the rollers Q9 and a stretcher bar 30 is secured to the free ends of each set of tapes bv means of straps or loops 37, as shown. Fach of the stretcher bars 3G consists of a single strip of sheet metal bent to form T-slot adapted to receive the base portions Q7 of hooks 9.8.

In use the upper side and one end of the curtain are first attached to the corresponding hooks 28. Then the stretcher bars 26 are drawn up to the corresponding edges of the curtain and the hooks thereon engaged with the curtain. Then stretcher bars 36 are released, the springs in rollers Q9 will draw said bars and thus stretch the curtain. Then it is desired to remove the curtain, the stretcher bars are drawn up to the edges thereof and hooks 28 disengaged from said curtain, whereupon the curtain may be readily removed by disengaging it from the hooks on the other side and end of the frame.

The construction set forth will be found to be strong and durable and efficient in use.

Vhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I; therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come Within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A curtain stretcher comprising a rectangular frame made up of sides and ends removably secured together, each of said sides comprising two abutting sections removably secured together at adjacent ends; spaced curtain hooks adjustably secured on one of said sides and ends; a supplemental side and end arranged parallel with said other side and end respectively; spaced curtain hooks adjustably secured in said supplemental side and end; means resiliently connecting said supplemental side and end with said other side and end respectively; a brace connecting the adjacent ends of the sections of one side with adjacent ends of the sections in the other side; and a pair of diagonal braces connected at one end of each to the adjacent ends of the sections in one of said sides and connected at their other ends to the remote ends of the sections in said other side, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MICHAEL J. DE GRAVE.

lVitnesses:

JOSHUA R. H. Po'r'rs, ARTHUR A. OLSON.

Copie: of this patent may be obtained for ve cent1.` each, by addressing the Cmmissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

